Known as “The World Series of Chess,” the tournament began in 1946 and is one of the oldest collegiate chess competitions in the United States. The event was held Dec. 27-30 in Fort Worth, where the UT Dallas team was undefeated throughout the tournament for the second consecutive year. It was the ninth time the team has won the championship or tied for first since 2000.

“The 2010 team’s 6-0 Pan-Am score was an achievement we thought would stand as our best record for some years. So, we were all greatly surprised to see a repeat 6-0 performance in 2011,” said Jim Stallings, UT Dallas chess program director.

“This is a great tribute to the team’s training from coach Rade Milovanovic, who is an International Master, and to the hard work and preparation put in by all team members throughout the semester.”

Milovanovic said this was his best Pan-Am tournament during his 13 years as a coach.

Julio Sadorra

“The whole team played excellent. The players were very focused and determined to defend our title. Team spirit was also very high. With big thanks to other players, I have to mention Julio Sadorra, who won all five of his games, including three against our main opponents,” Milovanovic said.

Sadorra, a business administration junior who holds the highest chess ranking of Grandmaster, received an individual prize at the tournament for his performance.

Sadorra said he adjusted his tactics from last year’s Pan-Am.

“I learned that my usual risky, enterprising play isn't suitable to team events and decided to use a more regulated strategic approach. I came to every game with a desire to play as many good moves as I could find and to apply the lessons learned from my previous games, not to prove that I was better than my opponent.”

He said the team was even stronger than last year's successful group.

“Although we won all of our matches like last year, I believe we are a better team this year because the team's work ethic and unity improved,” he said.

UT Dallas will gear up to face the other top teams from the Pan-Am that qualified for the 2012 President’s Cup, considered the “Final Four of College Chess.” That event will be held in Washington D.C. March 30-April 1.